Australian Test openers come face to face with Tasmanian Devils at wildlife park in Hobart

AUSTRALIAN opener Dave Warner may have sunk his teeth into many an international bowling attack, but he met his match yesterday in "Chompers" - a five-year-old Tasmanian Devil.

Warner and his opening partner Ed Cowan visited Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary just north of Hobart where Chompers lives with her sister, Pee-Wee -- two endangered Devils that were orphaned and hand-raised at the sanctuary from the age of three months.

Bonorong's Greg Irons told Warner and Cowan that despite their fearsome reputation - including having a jaw strength up to five times stronger than an American Pitbull - the hand-raised Devils were friendly, loveable creatures around their carers.

"It is the first time I've actually seen one, which is interesting,'' the 26-year-old Warner said yesterday.

"I didn't realise they were that slow and I thought they were a bit more aggressive than what they are.

"They actually look okay but I definitely wouldn't be picking one up if I saw it in the street.''

Cowan, originally from NSW but now a fully fledged Tasmanian, said he was well aware of the Devils' plight as they battle facial tumours that have wiped the indigenous species from some parts of the island state.

"Having moved down here and now seen a lot of the state, it is now an unavoidable issue,'' Cowan, 30, said.

"It is something I think that is worth people being aware of, the plight of the devil.

"I am aware of the issues they face and it is nice to get out here and show some support.''

Cowan and Warner will lead Australia's batting in the first Test against Sri Lanka at Blundstone Arena, starting on Friday.

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